The United States took on South for their second game of men’s basketball at Paris 2024. The game was at Pierre Mauroy Stadium. The game started at 12:00 pm PST. This was the second game of the tournament for both teams. It was a Group C game.
The United States were coming off of a 110-84 victory over Serbia. The United States were 1-0-0 so far in this tournament. The United States were second in Group C. South Sudan were coming off of a 90-79 win over Puerto Rico. South Sudan had a record of 1-0-0. They were third in Group C. This game was a rematch of a Paris 2024 warm up match. The United States only beat South Sudan by one point in their last meeting. South Sudan led at halftime of their last meeting. That was a warm up match. There are lots of talent on both sides. The United States was looking to control this game. The likely to come out playing more aggressively than they did in their last meeting. I was doubtful that the United States would allow South Sudan to come as close to winning as they did last time.
The United States built up a twelve point lead in the first quarter. The score was 26-14 after the first quarter. The United States grew their lead to nineteen in the second quarter. The score was 55-36 at halftime. It looked like it was over for South Sudan at halftime.
South Sudan outscored the United States by three points in the third quarter. The United States still had a sixteen point lead in after the third quarter. The score was 73-57 United States going into the fourth quarter. The United States outscored South Sudan by one point in the fourth quarter. The United States won the game by seventeen points. The final score was 103-86 United States.
The United States played a lot better than they did in their last meeting. The United States now have a chance to win all three of their group stage games. Right now ever other team is playing for second place. The ball movement, aggressiveness, and clutch scoring is unmatched. This game was a wake up call for South Sudan. They were looking for a closer game. Maybe even an opportunity to win. The level of play it is going to take to match the United States is unreal.
The United States lead the field goals with a 53% conversion rate. They went 37 for 70. The United States went 43% for three pointers. They went 80% on free throws. South Sudan had the better free throw percentage at 92%. South Sudan got six more offensive rebounds than the United States. The United States led in defensive rebounds, South Sudan lead in total rebounds. The United States led in assists. The South Sudan led in turnovers. The United States led in steals. The South Sudan had more fouls. The United States let South Sudan score fifteen points on turnovers.
The United States lead Group C. Serbia are second in the group. South Sudan are third in the group. Puerto Rico are last in the group. The United States, Serbia, and South Sudan are in positions to advance. It is still just a three way battle for the second or third spot as the United States are unstoppable. They are the only team to cross over 200 points in the tournament. The last time the United States won the group was at Rio 2016.
The United States take on Puerto Rico for their final game of the group stage. That game will be on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. Tip off is scheduled for 8:15 am PST. That game will be at Pierre Mauroy Stadium. A win would secure the top spot in Group C for the United States.
Zac Electrifly 
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